I am confused between the Mahindra XUV700 AX7T automatic and the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 2 (above 70 kWh). My usage is mostly in the city with occasional long trips.

Autocar India

•10h

2,30,000km in 10 years is a huge amount, and the Ciaz diesel must have served you well to rack up that kind of mileage. Considering that usage, which amounts to around 1,900km per month, mostly on highways, we have to caution against getting an EV just yet. Public charging infrastructure is still developing, with chargers being few and far between, with varying degrees of functionality. Plus, if your planned charger is occupied, you could be waiting hours for access to a plug. Moreover, while there are electric cars today with large batteries and long ranges, such usage will still require frequent charging, which in the long run will take a toll on the battery's health, performance and overall lifespan. This could be offset by the relatively low maintenance costs of an EV versus an ICE vehicle, but when it is time for battery replacement, the cost will be high.With that in mind, of your two shortlisted EVs, we would recommend the Mahindra XEV 9e. While it shares its platform and powertrain with the smaller BE6, it is more spacious, more comfortable for long journeys, and feels like a more mature product overall. With the larger 79kWh battery, it offers an MIDC range of around 656km and a real-world highway range of about 488km, which amounts to an efficiency of 6.18km/kWh, which is quite impressive for an SUV.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•5h

Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

The VinFast VF7 is an able cruiser that's engaging to drive. The AWD version packs in plenty of performance, and you feel confident behind the wheel, with characteristics similar to the Jeep Compass. What also works in the VF7's favour is its upmarket interior that genuinely exudes a premium car vibe.To entice buyers, VinFast is also offering several attractive schemes, such as buyback offers, incentives to exchange your ICE car, free charging options, long warranty, etc.Do keep in mind, its high cabin floor could hamper comfort, the user interface isn't very easy due to the over-reliance on its touchscreen for all controls, and its (overall) range is around 391km, which is lower than the Mahindra XEV 9E's (456km).

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra XEV 9e

Jeep Compass

Autocar India

•3d

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•3d

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•5d

For 60-70km a day inside Delhi NCR and mostly city use, the Kia Seltos GTX(A) diesel fits your brief better. It is easier to live with in traffic and tight parking than the Harrier Fearless Plus Dark; it will use less fuel in the city, and Kia’s service network is usually more consistent. It's diesel and automatic work smoothly at low speeds, and while it doesn’t have the grunt of the Harrier’s diesel, it is adequate for city use. Fuel efficiency is also a tad better on the Seltos. On service and reliability, Kia’s 1.5 diesel and this automatic have been around for years, and owner reports are generally good, while Tata has improved, but feedback on service quality still varies across workshops.There are trade-offs. The Seltos does not feel as big or have the same road presence as the Harrier, and you will feel sharp bumps a bit more at low speeds. If you often carry five adults or do long highway trips, the Harrier’s extra space and heavier, more solid feel are a plus.Overall, for your daily city grind and focus on service, reliability and fuel efficiency, the Seltos GTX(A) diesel is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier